Samurai aim to put Paraguay to sword

JAPAN coach Takeshi Okada believes his side have the ability to reach their first-ever World Cup quarter-final at the expense of an impressive Paraguay side.

The Japanese have only once before reached the knockout stages of the World Cup when, on home soil in 2002, they were eliminated at the second-round stage by Turkey.

But the Blue Samurai are again in the last 16 in South Africa after beating Cameroon and Denmark to finish second in Group E behind Holland.

That set up a showdown with Paraguay at Loftus Versfeld and for one of the nations a maiden appearance in the quarter-finals awaits.

“It will be a challenge for us as we try to get into the last eight for the first time, so we will be doing our absolute utmost to address this challenge,” said Okada.

“Paraguay are solid in defence and quick in attack and it’s clear they are a good team because they finished first in their group, but if we can deliver 100% of what we can do then I’m certain that we will be able to win.”

“In their group Paraguay were first amongst very good teams. All of them were very good and strong in their group, and they finished first.

“Many of their players play in European leagues and they’re all good players, and up front particularly they are very quick. Perhaps Paraguay aren’t one of the most fancied teams but they are strong and good at going from defence to attack quickly, which is something we have to be careful about.”

Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino believes the first goal could prove crucial as both teams look to create history by reaching the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time.

With just three goals to their credit, Paraguay were the lowest scorers of any of the eight pool winners, although Martino’s men only conceded once in their three Group F games.

Martino said: “I personally think that it’s really important to score the first goal. It is really decisive to score the first goal in the World Cup, especially when you get to the knockout stages, where with a win you stay and with a defeat you go home.

“If you have a goal scored against you it is very difficult to catch up knowing you only have 90 minutes to do so.”

When asked about the possibility of his side writing their names in national folklore, Argentinian Martino said: “Well of course we came to the World Cup with dreams and we’re working on it, we’re still in the race.”

“In tomorrow’s match, if we have good ball possession and use it well, as well as putting pressure on our opponents, then we may win.”